Improvement in head-elevator and chin-raiser



J. HEINTZ; Head-Elevator and Chin-Raiser. No. 205,086.

Patented June 18. I878.

N-PEI'EHS, PHOTO-LITNOGRAPIQER, WAQHINGTON, D.Q

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JOHN HEINTZ, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT 'lN HEAD-ELEVATOR AND CHIN-RAISER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,086., dated June 18, 187 8 application filed May13, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HEINTZ, of Boston, in the county of 'Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Head-Elevator and Chin-Raiser, or devices for undertakers use, of which the following is a specification The object of my invention is to provide a means or device to elevate the head of a corpse and keep the under jaw in its natural position, with the mouth closed, without distorting the features or interfering with the usual neck apparel, as is the case with the devices heretofore employed for the purpose; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts of the adjustable device, as hereinafter more fully described and set forth.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device as adjusted when in use. Fig. 2 is a view of a side elevation of the same when closed together for transportation.

A represents a rectangular base-frame; To its ends Bis hinged a secondary adjustable frame, 0, having hinged to its opposite ends D the adjusting-supports E, whose lower ends are beveled, as shown, and rest in the notches S formed on the upper sides of the side pieces of the base-frame A. To this adjustable frame 0 is hinged the short adjustable frame F, and to its opposite ends is hinged the secondary adjustable supports H, which are likewise provided with beveled ends G, which rest in notches I formed on the top of the side pieces of the adjustable frame 0.

To the hinged head ends of the frame F is hinged a transverse head-board, K, and at the middle or central portion of the said frame F is rigidly secured a trausverseheadsupport or yoke-piece, L, its upper surface being concave or hollowed out, so as to fit the head, and thereby'secure the head of a corpse in the position desired.

To the insides of the side pieces of the adjustable frame F are pivoted the spring chinsupports J, having spiral springs M connected thereto by one end, their opposite ends being adapted to hook or engage with the vertical hooks or catches N in the outer ends of the yoke L, or, if desired to hold the Flg. 1.

The spring chin-supports J are provided with suitable staples, or other means of attachment, to receive the ends of the curved or bent wire R, having the chin-rest T connected therewith rigidly. The bent wire R and chin-rest T may be removed from the supports J and inserted in holes in the top edge of the head-board K, so as to be more compact for transportation, as shown in Fig. 2.

Instead of the supports E and H, the frames 0 and F may be adjusted by means of setscrews passing through each side piece 0 in a screw-threaded hole and bearing upon the top of the frame F beneath; also, set-screws may likewise pass through the sides of the frame F, and have a bearing upon the baseframe A; or wedges may be employed to elevate the said adjustable frames by being slid in upon the opposite sides of the top of the base-frame and beneath the frame F, likewise upon the top of the frame F and beneath. the frame 0; but I prefer the devices described and shown, as being better adapted for the purposes, on account of simplicity and stren gth, and less liable to get out of order.

V is a wire hook to sustain an alarm or life bell.

In use the device is contemplated to be put within a corpse preserver or freezer, and may be constructed of various sizes, as occasion may requ1re.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is The combination of the baseframe A, having the notches S, with the adjustable frame 0, having the supports E, the adjustable frame F, having the supports H, yoke L, head-board K, chin-supports J R T, and springs M, all being constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner described, as and for the purposes set forth.

J OHN HEINTZ.

OHAs. H. TRASK. 

